Budget-Conscious? Here's Your Live Console

The Behringer SX3242FX Eurodesk boasts a whopping 32 channels of audio, including 24 fully fledged microphone channel strips outfitted with XENYX preamps and three-band "British" EQ -- because sounding great is just as important as having enough channels.

Learn more about the SX3242FX in this overview video by Behringer:

Huge Channel Count

Just try getting this many channels anywhere near this price from a different manufacturer. You can't. Behringer's manufacturing output makes it possible for them to offer an incredibly low price for professional-grade audio equipment. With 24 microphone channels and an additional eight line inputs arranged in stereo pairs, you'll be able to mix rock bands, chamber groups, pit orchestras, choirs, worship services, and a whole lot more. In addition to the 32 true input channels, the SX3242FX gives you four subgroups for assigning multiple inputs to a single fader. Use the subgroups to control an entire drum kit or all the backup signers from a single volume fader, or use them to create specific monitor mixes for different performers. You also get a mono output that can be used as a center channel, a monitor send, or a subwoofer send.

Absolutely Pro-Quality Sound

Behringer Eurodesk mixers certainly do not champion quantity over quality. Each of the 24 microphone channels features Behringer's crystal-clear XENYX preamps, renowned for their low self-noise and transparent gain architecture. They make the perfect complement to the three-band "British" EQ on channels 1 through 28. By "British," Behringer means the kind of warm, musical equalization that British console manufacturers specialize in. In stark contrast to the surgical EQs found on most American-designed consoles, the SX3242FX's British EQ makes it easy to dial frequencies in (or out) in a way that always sounds "pleasant" to the listener. In other words, it's hard to make this board sound bad.

Built-In 24-Bit Effects

To further sweeten your sound, the Behringer SX3242FX has its own effects processing built right in. Instead of having to spend thousands on racks of outboard processing gear, all your compressors, reverbs, gates, delays, and other effects are right in the box. The Eurodesk's dual, 24-bit digital effects processors let you make use of two independent stereo effects for use in your mix. You even get oft overlooked effects like Ultrabass, Ultramizer and Exciter -- algorithmic audio processes that can mean the difference between a good mix and an amazing mix.

Automatic Feedback Detection

Typically you'd need to buy a separate unit dedicated to the destruction of feedback, but the Behringer Eurodesk SX3242FX comes with an intuitive and effective system built-in. Just activate the FBQ, and watch the LED's under the seven-band master EQ light up, indicating problem bands for whatever space you're working in. Simply adjust the EQ until the LED dims -- it couldn't be easier. Feedback is the biggest literal headache for any live sound system, and it makes feedback problems a thing of the past.

Give your venue the sound it deserves, and the sound that serious musicians demand. Pick up a Behringer SX3242FX Eurodesk mixer at an unbeatable price from zZounds.

Behringer SX3242FX Eurodesk

If you want classic analog handling but can't skimp on superior digital effects and studio-grade mic preamps, the SX3242FX is your best friend. This mixer's 24 mic inputs, 8 stereo inputs and 4 buses give you enough leeway to handle anything from a graduation speech to a 5-piece band to a whole church service with praise band and choir.

The XENYX Mic Preamp matches the sound quality, transparency, headroom and even the dynamic range of boutique-style, stand-alone mic preamps. Behringer's neo-classic"British EQ" brings back the warmth and musicality of those '60s and '70s mega-console desks that made music history. The XENYX FX mixers incorporate a studio-grade 24-bit FX processor. Get 100 real-world and awesome effect presets at your fingertips.

Classic control, state-of-the-art sound

Each of the SX3242FX's 24 mic inputs connects to our world-famous, studio-grade XENYX mic preamps. They are legendary for their high headroom, warm natural timbre and utter lack of background noise. Plug in a large-diaphragm condenser mic and track a vocal to hear XENYX's rich detail and spaciousness. Plug in a dynamic mic and stick it inside a bass drum to appreciate the whopping headroom.

You may experience side-FX

Whether you need to add a dab of reverb or delay to a live vocalist's mic or warp a hard day's studio session into psychedelic quicksand, the SX3242FX has you covered. they gave this mixer two independent studio-grade 24-bit stereo FX processors with 99 awesome presets (see full list below) to provide the perfect sonic garnish. "Sure they're great for live sound, but I have a lot of cool plug-ins for recording," they can hear some of you saying. Truth be told, you never have too many effects. And when you hear the quality of the effects, you may want to give your overworked CPU a rest.

Naturally they gave you a whole palette of creative effects like reverb, chorus, flanger, delay and pitch shifter tones, as well as mind-bending multi-effects to take your sound out of this world. But you also get problem solving workhorses like compression and gating plus final effects such as Ultramizer, Ultrabass and Exciter that can put a PA or studio mix over the top. And because there are two processors, you can cue two separate effects, then apply one or both to channels 1 through 28 -- compression for the vocalist, reverb for the vocalist and snare drum, for example.

What the heck is British EQ?

A good thing to have on your side when you start reaching for those channel equalization knobs. At a live concert or in the studio. Think of it as kinder, gentler, more musical EQ like the type found on classic British consoles from the 60's and 70's. Single malt scotch instead of Everclear. Home-baked cherry cobbler instead of an artificial cherry lollypop.

British EQ's distinct configuration of wider curves/lower Q and harmonic phase characteristics allows you to add or subtract EQ more generously than you can with conventional EQ circuit designs. When you add low midrange, you get a firmer sound instead of a nasty bonk. When you back high frequencies off a bit, treble backs off just a hair instead of turning muffled.

All SX3242FX mono channels have low and high shelving plus a sweepable "mid-range" you can move anywhere from 100Hz to 8kHz. Think of it as your roving English troubleshooter.

Kill feedback before it maims your audience.

When it comes to suppressing feedback, the SX3242FX is like having a bloodhound trained to spot trouble frequencies a mile away. The 9-band graphic EQ (which you can choose to apply to your main mix or monitor mix via the MAIN/AUX1 button) features the FBQ Feedback Detection system. It makes finding and adjusting critical frequencies a snap. Just push FBQ IN, then watch as LEDs on the individual EQ sliders light up, indicating which frequency bands are causing feedback. Simply adjust until the LED goes dim.

The Ins and Outs

Some manufacturers make what they call 32-input mixers that count stuff like CD/TAPE IN as an input. But the SX3242FX really gives you twenty-four honest mono channels plus eight stereo channels, making it easy to accommodate a variety of studio or live performance configurations. You can connect up to 24 microphones or other mono instruments and up to four stereo instruments (keyboards or tone modules, for example).

You can combine these input in four different sub-mixes (we call them buses). That allows you to blend multiple channels--say all the mics on a drum kit or all the backup singers' mics--to a single fader, which is easier to adjust for the overall mix that goes to the PA speakers. You can also use one or more of the sub-mix buses to create custom monitor mixes for picky members of your band.

This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Impressive feature set and sound quality for a couple of day's overtime pay."

Sound:
There is no downside to the sound of this board. The preamps are transparent and quiet, special effects work great, plenty of headroom...everything you ask a mixer to do for your sound is there. Making vocals and instruments sound the way they go in is extremely important, and this board is that way. You can, however tweak everything to get whatever "version" of those sounds you want.
Feature:
It would be nice to have two more pre-fader sends, but at this price-point the existing feature set probably makes this too costly. By getting the 24 xlr versin, I create a third mix using the inserts to patch over to other unused channel line inputs. Then I assign those to a subgroup or two and not to the mains. The faders can be used to create the third or even fourth mix with some creative experimentation. Direct outs could be good, but the inserts can be used as d/o, and for me it's enough.
Ease of Use:
intuitive, well grouped controls. well written manual, although I have previouss mixer experience. I don't think anybody quite matches mackie in this department...user friendly manual, that is. Behringer Online support is there for any questions. I can't think of an easier way to add a subwoofer than to use this mono out with adjustable volume and adustable lpf...in conjuntion with the adjustable hpf on my behringer eq...unbelievable difference in the clarity and power requirements of my system from this one feature.
Quality:
everything is perfect out of the box. The controls are firm, with the faders the least firm, but very smoothe and controllable. The fit and finish is on a par with everybody else...just fine. I am not the least bit worried about the "horror stories" as they have simply become urban legend on the web. My own personal experience with behringer, and local music store information has laid all these stories to rest around here. How long will it last? I don't plan to throw it arouns, so I expect years of usage.
Value:
Hands down winner here. Nothing else is even close. You will find some used boards with more sends, but fewer channels, new boards with less of everything, any variation in-between. Pound-for-pound, dollar-for-dollar..this board has more of the typical weekend-warrior needs covered for less money.
Manufacturer Support:
I have never needed any supports except for simple questions...always a prompt, courteous response.
The Wow Factor:
It's gorgeous...maybe not exactly like the onyx is gorgeous. A little more of a retro-gorgeous. It is not, BTW a close cosmetic copy of the onyx if you are an observent person....a little siver here and there doen't make them look alike in my book.
Overall:
I have no inkling to look for a different mixer. I shopped for 6 months and did extensive research to determine if the internet babble on three very vocal forums was really the majority opinion. It is not. It is also not based on current information regarding behringer products or business practices. I bought this mixer because I am an educated consumer who knows what I want and what it's worth. My music sounds better, my bands needs are now met, and this mixer is a key ingredient. The common recommendation for a small mixer with 16 inputs and 6 sends is around $1000. That is simply not a player for many folks. Neither is a legitimate need or technical ability to use 6 sends. This board had 24 mono channels and so many routing options, a competent sound person will find the sends more than adequate for the weekend gig band. I'd replace it with another one...or add a 2442fx or some xenyx version if the need for a monitor board ever arose...that beside this would be capability well beyond any reality I see in my forseeable future.

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"Budget or Not this is a GREAT Mixing Board"

Sound:
I was very very surprised with this board. The first thing I did was have a custom flight case made for it by Islandcases out of New York and is a great flight case. This board is absolutely underrated. I use Mackie, Yamaha and Soundcraft boards and this board is every bit as good. It has a lot of head room and I like the fact that you can assign the onboard graphic EQ to the auxiliary buses. We use along with this board DBX's Driveracks. AS with anything as long as you take care of it and don't beat it to death it should last a long time. Behringer has come a LONG way. The 24 xlr channels are plenty and the sound is very clear. The British EQ's work exceptionally well with the DBX DriveRacks EQ. The effects are adequate but in all honesty this board would be better without them, it's just one more thing to go wrong and that's with any unit.
Feature:
No accessories except for the power chord. As stated above the effects are adequate but the board would have been great without them as well.
I do wish there were optional gooseneck lights that could be connected to it.
Ease of Use:
You will have to read up on this unit to get the best out of it.
Quality:
This board is well made. I'm starting to believe in Behringer products. I know their power amps are workhorses and absolutely great. That is the main reason I took a chance on this board. As long as it stays in it's case and not thrown around it will last a long time. It is nice and lightweight. It is road worthy and has been holding up.
Value:
I got it at an EXCEPTIONAL deal. It is worth what the website has it listed for. I would another one if needed.
Manufacturer Support:
I'm not rating it because I haven't had to use it. I do need to email them about a question I have so we'll see how it gets handled.
The Wow Factor:
really no sex appeal just a very good mixing board.
Overall:
I should be using this board for sometime. IF anything I would look for a bigger board. IF it were stolen I would buy another one just like it. Behringer add optional gooseneck lights!!!!lol

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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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